The development of a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy program in a de novo renal transplant program: Evolution of technique and results in over 200 cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 1999, our institution began a kidney transplant program with collaboration between the departments of General Surgery/Transplantation and Urology. From the onset, donor nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically and are currently the domain of Urology, which had no prior laparoscopic experience before this undertaking. We reviewed our experience. METHODS: A database of our experience was kept prospectively from June 1999 to November 2004. Records of both donors and recipients were reviewed. Special attention was directed toward our changes in technique and their relationship to outcomes, with emphasis on graft extraction and overall complication rates. RESULTS: We reviewed the records of 205 consecutive procedures. We report excellent donor outcomes, including mean operative time (112 minutes), estimated blood loss (120 mL), and length of stay (2.3 days). Complication (14.1%) and open conversion (1.5%) rates were low. For the recipients, early (98.0%) and 1-year (94.7%) graft survival, and ureteral ischemia (2.4%) rates were also appropriate with contemporary experience. CONCLUSIONS: We report our results on laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in a de novo renal transplant program. Because of this experience, we have ventured into other horizons of urologic laparoscopy and currently produce enough volume to support a laparoscopic fellowship. We feel that a productive donor nephrectomy program can enhance urologic laparoscopic programs and should be taken advantage of when available.     

Routine postoperative chest x-ray following laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a routine postoperative chest x-ray is required following uneventful laparoscopic nephrectomy to rule out pneumothorax. METHODS: From June 1999 to May 2003, 308 laparoscopic nephrectomy cases were performed by 5 different surgeons. This consisted of 121 radical nephrectomies, 106 donor nephrectomies, 29 simple nephrectomies, 29 partial nephrectomies, and 23 nephroureterectomies. Of the 308 procedures, 186 postoperative chest x-ray s were obtained in the recovery room: 183 routinely and 3 for known intraoperative diaphragmatic injuries. Routine chest x-rays were not obtained in 122 cases due to the individual surgeon's preference. Of these 122 patients, 15 underwent chest x-ray performed while hospitalized secondary to pulmonary issues or fever. RESULTS: Of the 308 cases, 4 pneumothoraces were identified on chest x-ray. Three were identified in the patients who had intraoperative identification of diaphragmatic injury. The fourth pneumothorax was identified in a patient who did not have a routine postoperative chest x-ray but did have a chest x-ray obtained due to postoperative shoulder pain. The pneumothorax in this patient resolved spontaneously. No incidental findings existed of pneumothorax in any patient who underwent routine postoperative chest x-ray. CONCLUSION: In our series, a pneumothorax was identified either intraoperatively or based on postoperative clinical findings. None of the 183 routine postoperative chest x-rays changed patient management. Routine postoperative chest x-ray is not necessary in uncomplicated laparoscopic nephrectomy.     

Bacterial lipase and high-fat diets in canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: A new therapy of steatorrhea?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutrients and properties of lipases affect survival of lipolytic activity during aboral gastrointestinal transit. Whether different doses and formulations of bacterial lipase and diets affect steatorrhea was tested in pancreatic-insufficient dogs. METHODS: A dose of 0-600,000 IU of powdered and 135,000 and 300,000 IU of liquid bacterial lipase was given with a standard meal to 5 dogs with ligated pancreatic ducts. In 4 dogs, 0 or 300,000 IU (normal 6-hour postprandial amount) of powder bacterial lipase was also given with five meals containing 850 kcal with different nutrient caloric densities (mixture design). Coefficients of fat absorption during 72- hour fecal balance studies were used to assess treatments. RESULTS: With the standard meal, powder bacterial lipase reduced steatorrhea in a dose-dependent manner (P = 0.03), and 135,000 and 300,000 IU of the liquid form decreased steatorrhea more than powder bacterial lipase (P = 0.017 and 0.057, respectively). Coefficients of fat absorption with 300,000 IU of powder bacterial lipase correlated (r2 = 0.79; P < 0.001) with increasing proportions of fat calories in diets. CONCLUSIONS: Liquid bacterial lipase decreases steatorrhea more than powder, and 300,000 IU of powder bacterial lipase ingested with high-fat meals corrects canine pancreatic steatorrhea. The combination of adequate mixing of small amounts (milligrams) of bacterial lipase and high-fat meals abolishes canine steatorrhea and may abolish human pancreatic steatorrhea. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jun;112(6):2048-55)     

Management of civilian gunshot fractures of the extremities

One hundred thirty-two gunshot fractures of the extremities in 126 patients were studied retrospectively and followed until clinical union from January 1980 to January 1985. Civilian handgun missile velocities have increased; should the trend continue, treatment protocols will need to be modified. All uncomplicated low-velocity gunshot fractures, less than 615 m/second, (2000 feet/second), can be managed conservatively, with superficial debridement, surgical cleansing, immobilization, and antibiotics. Seventeen orthopedic procedures were performed; specific treatment was dictated by the type or location of the fracture caused by the missile. One hundred thirty-two fractures were treated with antibiotic therapy, 80 intravenously and 52 oral administration. Only two infections were encountered, both in the oral therapy group. No statistically significant advantage of intravenous over oral administration was found. Emergency room debridement along with oral antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated low-velocity gunshot fractures not requiring operative fixation yielded results comparable to those of hospitalization, with dramatically reduced medical costs.     

Determinants of staff job satisfaction of caregivers in two nursing homes in Pennsylvania

Background  

Job satisfaction is important for nursing home staff and nursing home management, as it is associated with absenteeism, turnover, and quality of care. However, we know little about factors associated with job satisfaction and dissatisfaction for nursing home workers.